J. Appl. Environ. Biol. Sci. , 5(6)43-52, 2015 ISSN: 2090-4274 Journal of Applied Environmental © 2015, TextRoad Publication and Biological Sciences www.textroad.com Coral Diversity of Hengam Island, Persian Gulf, Iran 1 1 1 2 3 4 Ghasemi, S. *, Mola, N. , Hoseinpour, M. , Hosseini-Tayefeh, F. , Naji, A. , Pakravan, J. , 1 Faculty of Natural Science, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Branch, Iran 2 Department of Environment (DoE), Alborz Province, Iran 3 Environmental Dept., Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran 4 Senior Expert of Pollution Control, Shahid Rajaei Port, Bandar abbas, Iran Received: December 10, 2014 Accepted: April 25, 2015 ABSTRACT Coral reef ecosystems play an important role in the cycle of life in the Persian Gulf. It is difficult to monitor and manage coral ecosystem due to a lack of baseline data on the coral diversity in the Persian Gulf. This study investigated the diversity of corals in the Hengam Island, Persian Gulf, south of Iran. Reef communities were surveyed at 3 sites namely Tiny wall, Acropora and Dive Persia, with 3 randomly 200 × 1 m randomly belts transects (parallel to the shore) at a depth of 2-6 m and at least10m gap between neighbor transects at different stations, using Line Intercept Transect (LIT) and Manta Tow Technique (MTT) methods. Corals were identified to the genus level in situ and to the species level by underwater photography where possible using available new reference texts. A total of 17 scleractinian coral species, representing 13 genera and 7 families, were recorded at near-shore coral reefs Hengam Island. Out of this number, 2, 6 and 8 species were falls under vulnerable, nearly threatened and Least Concern categories, respectively. Furthermore, only one species were identified to the genus level. This study would make the Hengam Islands one of the richest areas for coral species in the Persian Gulf for areas of a similar size. So, the best management strategies to conserve these productive habitats are required. KEYWORDS: Iran, Coral Reef, Diversity, Hengam Island, Persian Gulf, Iran. INTRODUCTION Every day, corals, reef structures, and the coral reef ecosystems play an important role in the cycle of life (Goodwin, 2006).Coral reefs are of great importance for remarkable biodiversity; coastal protection; providing seafood and new medicines; and recreational value in Persian Gulf (Bauman, 2013). They are also extremely sensitive to small environmental perturbations over the short-term (Rezai et al., 2004). Slight changes in one component of the ecosystem may have detrimental effects on the health of entire coral colonies (Aubrecht et al., 2008). It has recently been estimated that coral reefs occupy 284,300 sq. km. of the planet’s surface (Goodwin, 2006).Because of the widespread distribution of coral reefs and their occurrence in remote locations, the most practical approach to the global survey of reef stressors and the monitoring of conditions that affect reefs is through the use of remotely sensed data (Riegl, et al., 2012a).According to Foster et al. , (2011), natural and anthropogenic disturbances including cyclones, climatic change, bleaching, disease outbreaks and removal of grazers have greatly influenced coral reefs and caused changes to their community structure. Global warming has also caused in the frequency and severity of the corals' bleaching phenomenon (Goldberg and Wilkinson, 2004). Until 2002, because of high temperature, almost all types of branching corals were completely destroyed in the north of Persian Gulf (Rezai et al., 2010). There are however several studies concerning the diversity of coral reefs (Kavousi et al., 2011; Madani et al., 2013; Samiei et al., 2013; Shojae et al., 2011) and their threats (Riegl et al., 2012b; SamimiNamin et al., 2010; Shahhosseiny et al., 2013)in the Persian Gulf. Little published information exists about Hengam (Salarzadeh et al., 2013; Shahhosseiny et al., 2013) and such a coral community has not yet been reported in this island (Rezai et al., 2004). In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in Hengam ecotourism (Nodehi&Omidvar, 2015). It is considered that the importance of Hengam island properties must be recognized and the protection of this island from threats must be enhanced. The focus of this paper is to determine a baseline data for the assessment of habitat and the status of the coral species in Hengam Island near-shore limits as the most important ecotourism properties in this island. This study therefore seeks to fulfil a number of aims. Principally, a complete species inventory of coral will be compiled. Finally, the status of the coral reefs and coral communities will be undertaken. These will provide *Corresponding author: Ghasemi, S., Environmental Management Dept., Faculty of Natural Science, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Branch, Iran . Email: [email protected] 43 Ghasemi, S et al., 2015 information for identifying current and potential threats, which would lead to designation of areas needing specific protection and conservation management measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area This study was conducted at near-shore coral reefs Hengam Island. This island with only 33.6 ha area, is located in the south of Qeshm Island, near the Strait of Hormuz at the boundary of Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, within quadrant of 26˚ 36΄ – 26˚ 41΄ N and 55˚ 51΄– 55˚ 55΄ E (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 Location of Study Area in Persian Gulf The annual mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures were 27˚C, 13.3˚C and 39.2˚C in a 30-year period (1980– 2010), respectively. The mean annual rainfall is about 173.1 mm that mainly occurs in winter. The mean monthly relative humidity is 66.4% (Table1). Maximum depth reached was 7 m in low tides and with increasing depth, hard substrate decrease and extent of sand and muddy beds increase. Regional water salinity is reported 33-44 psu. Preliminary studies indicate that sparse or dense corals are found around the island, as well as in the north. Table1 Climatic parameters in Hengam Island (2000-2010) Parameter Average Max (Month) Min (Month) Sunshine hours (hr) 9.1 11 (June) 7.4 (December) Temperature (C°) 27 39.2 (August) 13.3 (January) Wind (m/s) 1.4 Note: Prevailing wind from southwest Relative humidity (%) 66.4 87.2 (February) 39.9 (June) Rainfall(mm) 173.1 46.5 (January) 0.0 (June-July) Evaporation (mm) 1967.8 255.9 (August) 32.1 (January) Study design This study was performed from November 2011 to August 2012. Reef communities were surveyed at 3 sites namely Tiny wall, Acropora and Dive Persia (Fig. 2), using Line Intercept Transect (LIT) and Manta Tow Technique (MTT) methods described in the Methods for Ecological Monitoring of Coral Reefs (Hill & Wilkinson, 2004).A diver equipped with snorkel and fins was towed around the island over the depths of 2-6 m, with a speed of 3-5 km per hour, equivalent to a slow walk for two minutes, at an approximate distance of 200-250 m from the shore (Moran et al., 1989). 44 J. Appl. Environ. Biol. Sci. , 5(6)43-52, 2015 Fig. 2 Position of Study sites in Hengam Island At each site, surveys were conducted on three randomly200 × 1 m belts transects (parallel to the shore) at a depth of 2-6 m. There was at least10m gap between neighbor transects at different stations as described by Aghajan- Pouret al. (2013). Corals were identified to the genus level in situ and to the species level by underwater photographywhere possible using available new reference texts (Erhardt& Knop, 2005; Spalding et al. , 2001; Wilson et al. , 2003; Wood & Scheer, 1983). Corals were photo-graphed using a Nikons V underwater camera with a 20 mm lens and twin Ikelite 50 strobes, and an Olympus C3030 digital camera in an Olympus underwater housing attached to a single Ikelite 50 strobe. Close-up photos were taken with a Nikons V using a two to one framer and 35 mm lens. Furthermore, conservation status and population trend of identified corals were generated by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (version 3.1), 2012, 2. RESULTS For a period of one year of sampling, started from September 21th 2008, a total of 16 scleractinian coral species, representing 13 genera and 7 families, were identified to the species level and one species was identified to the genus level, either insitu or from collected specimens and underwater photographs. Table 2 gives classification of corals according to species and family in Hengam. Out of this number, 2 species including Psammocora stellata 1 and Pavona decussate , were falls under Vulnerable(V) category, 6 species (about 17%) including Acropora arabensis, Favites micropentagona , Platygyra acuta , Porites lobata and Stylophora pistillata were falls under Nearly Threatened (NT) whereas 8 species (about 2.7%) considered as Least Concern (LC) category. Furthermore, nine species considered as native species in Persian Gulf limited. Faviidae (35.3%) and Acroporidae (23.5%) are the most diverse corals family in near-shore of Hengam Island (Fig.3). Moreover, all genus of Acropora, Favia, Montipora, and Psammocora with 2 species were the most abundant genus in the study area. Fig 4 gives the photos of observed hard corals in Hengam. 1Synonym/s: Psammocora brighami Vaughan 1907 45 Ghasemi, S et al., 2015 Table 2 List of hard corals 2 recorded at Hengam Island offshore, IRAN Scientific Name Species Authority Family Pop. trend Status Acanthastrea echinata Dana, 1846 MUSSIDAE Unknown LC Acropora arabensis Hodgson & Carpenter, 1995 ACROPORIDAE Decreasing NT, N Acropora downingi Wallace, 1999 ACROPORIDAE Decreasing LC Cyphastrea